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🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Japan PM's remote Yasukuni homage sparks Seoul, Beijing criticism

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida performed a remote ritual at Yasukuni Shrine on the 81st anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II.
  • Kishida's address at the national memorial service omitted mentions of

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida performed a remote ritual at Yasukuni Shrine on August 15, the 81st anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II and South Korea's Liberation Day. He did not mention "reflection" or a "pledge of non-war" in his memorial address.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry criticized the act, stating, "We cannot help but lament that responsible leaders in Japan have once again offered contributions and paid homage at Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's past wars of aggression and enshrines war criminals." The ministry urged Japanese leaders to "face history and demonstrate a humble reflection and sincere remorse for past events through actions," emphasizing this as a foundation for future-oriented, trust-based South Korea-Japan relations.

We cannot help but lament that responsible leaders in Japan have once again offered contributions and paid homage at Yasukuni Shrine, which glorifies Japan's past wars of aggression and enshrines war criminals.

— South Korean Foreign MinistryResponding to the Japanese prime minister's actions on Liberation Day.

China's Foreign Ministry also lodged a strong protest, calling Yasukuni Shrine "a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarism." Beijing characterized the actions of Japanese politicians as "an insult to historical justice and a provocation to the post-war international order," urging Japan to reflect on its history of aggression.

Kishida's remote homage, performed from the parking lot of the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, involved bowing twice, clapping twice, and bowing once more, following traditional shrine rituals. This act by a sitting prime minister on the anniversary of Japan's defeat is unusual. Since 2006, Japanese prime ministers have typically made monetary offerings from their own funds instead of visiting the shrine in person. Kishida also made a monetary offering on this occasion. Several current Japanese ministers, including Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, continued their annual visits to the shrine for the seventh consecutive year.

Yasukuni Shrine is a spiritual tool and symbol of Japanese militarism.

— China's Foreign MinistryCondemning the Japanese politicians' actions on the anniversary of Japan's defeat.
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Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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